Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an important human pathogen with pigs serving as the main natural animal reservoir. In China, pork is the most popular meat, while pig viscera are also widely consumed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of HEV among pigs at slaughter, and assess the presence of HEV in raw pork and pig viscera as food. Samples of pig blood, raw pork, liver, kidney, and blood curd were collected from slaughterhouse or (and) retail market. Anti-HEV antibody in serum samples was detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay based on an ORF2 antigen sandwich kit. HEV RNA was tested by reverse transcription nested polymerase chain reaction (RT-nested PCR) and the viral load was further assessed using quantitative real-time PCR. The final amplicons of RT-nested PCR were sequenced and undergone phylogenetic analysis. Prevalence of antibodies to HEV was 90.4% (104/115) in pigs at slaughtered level, and one serum sample was HEV RNA positive (0.9%, 1/115). HEV RNA was detected in liver, kidney, and blood samples with positivity of 6.1% (7/114), 3.1% (4/129), and 1.2% (2/170) respectively with viral loads ranged 10 ^2.4 –10 ^4.4 (2.4Log–4.4Log) genome equivalents per gram, but not in pork. The HEV RNA prevalence in both liver and kidney were statistically higher than in pork. Phylogenetic analysis showed that all obtained sequences belonged to HEV genotype 4, which were divided into subtypes 4a, 4b, 4d, and 4i, highly identical to the known human and swine HEV sequences in China. The results indicate that raw pig viscera are more likely to harbor HEV than pork, suggesting a higher transmission risk related to consuming pig organs.

H5N1, a highly pathogenic avian influenza virus, presents pandemic risks due to its ability to adapt and spread among mammalian species. Vaccination may control its spread, but the effectiveness of existing H5N1 vaccines against circulating strains, especially clade 2.3.4.4b, remains uncertain. In this study, we assess neutralizing antibody responses to global circulating H5N1 strains, using sera from individuals vaccinated with an inactivated H5N1 vaccine (NCT00535665). Neutralization is measured against 17 pseudoviruses, representing circulating and vaccine H5 strains. Our results indicate that broad protective effects are observed only when high antibody titers are achieved by vaccination. Correlation analysis estimates that a pseudovirus-based neutralization titer of at least 1:980 is required to achieve a cross-protection rate above 60%. The findings suggest that the current H5N1 vaccine can elicit cross-neutralization of circulating H5N1 strains, if high antibody titers are achieved. Until updated H5N1 vaccines are developed, this vaccine may serve as a bridging measure.